If you love to entertain, you may be planning a big family get-together in the near future and are in the advanced planning stage. You will be hosting a lot of people for a celebration meal and want to ensure that you have all the food in stock so that you can get to work on time. You've got so much on your mind that you can't deal with mechanical issues, but your fridge freezer doesn't seem to understand the tension. Before you can bring in all your supplies you need to ensure that it is in full working order, so what can you do to fix the issue before disaster ensues?

Suspect Areas

If your freezer is failing to do its job, start by looking at one of two crucial parts: the condenser and the evaporator. Both of these parts work in tandem to help regulate internal temperature and preserve your expensive food.

Cleaning the Coils

Firstly, have a look at the condition of the coils, found at the back of the freezer unit. Typically, you should clean this area often so that you get rid of any dirt or debris accumulation, and if it's been some time since you did so, this could be at the root of your problem. If the coils are covered with gunk, they can't dissipate the heat properly, and so you should remove as much of this as you can with a vacuum cleaner.

Defrosting

Sometimes, ice can accumulate around the evaporator coils within the freezer. You may think that ice is a good thing, but too much of it is detrimental and you may have to defrost the units before you can get back to normal. Switch off the freezer for at least 24 hours, but be sure to place a receptacle next to the drain plug to capture most of the melted frost.

Checking the Motor

If you're happy with the condition of the evaporator and the condenser, check to see if the motor is functioning correctly. When the freezer is switched back on, check to see if the internal light is working when you open the door. If so, then electricity is flowing to the unit, but if the evaporator fan does not turn on when you activate the door switch, the motor may be suspect.

General Condition

Keep the area in and around your fridge or freezer as clean as you possibly can. This will typically be a rather humid environment and can easily attract cockroaches and other pests if you're not careful.

Other Issues

If you have been unable to coax your freezer back into life through any of these tests, it may be time to call in a freezer repair specialist.